With music playing in every corner and the rhythm involuntarily lingers into your mortal body and heal it, Hard Rock Hotel Penang represents a quintessential beach resort with a blend of fun, hipster and trendy stay. It is located strategically in the famous Batu Feringghi beach, and being dubbed as Malaysia's first Rock 'N' Roll Hotel that offers an experience with unexpected attributes and lifestyles whilst indulging in the beach activities.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang resumes the tradition of Hard Rock brand by portraying an impression of funky and casual style. When we arrived at the hotel, the frontal part of the hotel was projected with purple colour, rendering a feeling of grandeur and extravagance, and somehow to us, a mysterious and sensual sensation, too. At the entrance of hotel lies a gigantic guitar which is a picturesque spot, and everybody goes to Hard Rock ought to snap a picture here to announce to the world that you are preparing to rock and roll here. It is like, no picture no evidence right?
A glass of cold and refreshing drink was served to us in the mid of checking in, and this rescue comes in time during the scorching hot weather in Penang. We were checked in swiftly to our Seaview Deluxe Room, and depending on your luck, you will get either Madonna (many mistaken her as Marilyn Monroe though) or John Lennon theme room, and they are constantly "peeping" you throughout your stay in the room *scares*. Fair enough, I also mistaken John Lennon's portrait as Harry Potter's...
What greeted us upon stepping into the 35m2Â Â Seaview Deluxe Room was the rhythm of melodies and the sensual purple lighting, signifying a great start for our holidays. Technology plays a significant part in the room, as all the rooms in the hotel is equipped with DVD/CD players, 50-inches LED screen TV in Hollywood style frame with interactive IPTV system which offers complimentary blockbuster movies on demand (we watched The Fate of the Furious & 10 Cloverfield Lane on November 2017), complimentary Wi-Fi and wired connectivity.
Sleep comfortably in the king size bed and wake up on next day only by the call of soothing ocean waves. Each seaview deluxe rooms comes with a private balcony, thus you can sit there with a cup of coffee while enjoying the breeze wafting your hairs. The balcony offers an unprecedented view of sea in Batu Feringghi and the largest free-form swimming pool in northern Malaysia whereby kids' laughter can be heard vividly, a true reflection of a quality and enjoyable holiday.Â
Honeymoon couples will be enthralled to discover the sliding bathroom wall adjacent to the bed. The bathroom probably can fit in one person at one go, but the naughty couple can maximize the sliding wall. If you know what we meant...Â
Living true to the hotel value, you can now rent a fender guitar and premium headphones to your room, then rock out in your room as long as you wish during your stay with zero noise complaints, thanks to the great soundproof wall in your room. Most important is renting the fender guitar is completely free of charge but of course you have to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations.Â
Calling all guitar players, this is an one of a kind program exclusively available at Hard Rock Hotel and you can enjoy your hobby to the maximum here.Â
Head to TABU Teens Club or contact them at extension 8731 (10am - 6pm daily) and pick your favorite Fender Guitar and ready to jam out in your room! Do not forget to take a picture in style and let your friends envy your holidays too.
The good news for music connoisseurs does not just stop there. Music is all about freedom and being creativity, and Hard Rock Hotel Penang proudly presents you Sound of Your Stay Program at Tabu Teens Club. You may flip the switch and fantasy yourself mixing the music set in the top club in the city, using the Traktor S2 DJ controller and an accompany iPad. The world is all yours at the moment, permeated by the musics by you.
Put it upfront first, we know nuts about mixing and playing with music. Therefore there is no picture of us going crazy with the DJ controller.Â
However, we do find ourselves some spaces at Tabu Teens Club that can accommodate us. There are a mini theatre, pool tables, Foosball table, computer, gaming console - PS3 there! The access is open to all in-house guests and prepared to be over indulging with all the activities here, which we managed to exert self control and refrain ourselves from playing PS3 too long.Â
Kids on the other hand can head to the neighbouring indoor playground and immerse themselves with the mini playground equipment, whilst the brothers or sisters can busy jamming or busy with games within the same compound.Â
As a parents, probably you can let your teenager children to enjoy their time at Tabu Teens Clubs but what about your children aged 4-12 years old? Fret not, as you can leave your kids at ease of mind at Roxity Kids Club with staff supervision. There are hourly fun activities every day from 10am to 9pm.
Babies aged 0-3 years old will be well taken care of at the Lil' Rockers Infants Club too. Then you can go elsewhere to enjoy your long awaiting dating hours since having a kid, or head for a pampering spa session with the signature rhythm and motion massage. Meals will be taken care of as well, and you only need to foot in the bills after back from your dating.
To all parents now, have you decided your ideal destination for holidays now?
For us, we enjoyed our time in the spectacular 26,000 square feet free-form swimming pool and the gym facilities in Body Rock gym. Children will find themselves enjoying at the large play area in the pool.Â
You may enjoy a cocktail in style with half of your body submerged in the pool at The Shack, a swim-up bar just beside the pool.
Our best moment in the entire hotel stay has to be the spa massage at Rock Spa, apart from the wonderful quality time sleeping in the bed. It was one of the best massage therapy session we ever had, thanks to the skillful in-house masseuse. The environment at Rock Spa was relaxing and sensual at the same time, and there was a range of treatments ranging from body massages, body scrubs, body wraps, manicure and pedicure that prepares you to become a rock star.Â
As we wanted to try an unique massage, we went for an hour session of Hard Rock Massage, a fusion global massage styles including a delicious ear reflexology to get the blood pumping, purge impurities an deliver a renewed state of mind. We were totally immersed in the comfort of the treatment, whereby the masseuses helped us to unwind our muscles in detail. It is commendable that the massage therapy here is affordable and would not cause you a splurge in cash, and definitely value of money.
Besides, you may opt for an outdoor settings where treatments are done in the spa bungalow or private villa and enjoy the sound of waves.Â
Rock Spa also sings proud of their Rhythm and Motion massage, an unique massage that is available at Hard Rock Hotel Penang (possibly the first one in South East Asia) and there are only a few Hard Rock Hotel globally that offers such treatment.Â
The differences comparing to the conventional massage lies in the bed and the big cap above the head. During the therapy session, you will be taken through a rhythmic massage journey, whereby vibration ripple through the massage table from the 4 motion vibrators and treble beats comes from the overhead cap. The masseuse will then synchronize the pressure according to the rhythm and take you through a reinvented and unique treatment at Rock Spa.
Oh ya, Rock Spa also offers a wide selection of treatments for your kids such as yummy fruit facial, Strawberry Foot Massage , Bubble Gum Body Scrub and a few more treatment. In fact, not many spa in the island offers the treatment for the young ones.Â
The close vicinity of Batu Feringghi night market allows us to walk there, or alternatively you may hop on and get a free ride on the Hard Rock shuttle, available on a daily basis from 6.30pm to 11.00pm.
If you have some energy within you to spare, you may get a bike and venture around Batu Feringghi area. The hill might be steep and is a great challenge for bike lovers.
Breakfast at the hotel is served at Starz Diner that can host up to 200 people. We like the restaurant settings as it is white in colour, giving an impression of clean environment. The breakfast spread is vast, ranging from a selection of cereals, confectionery, local delicacies, Asian counters and Western delight. Omelette, cereal and the confectionery is our favorite. Watch out for the spicy Nasi Lemak though, one of the best and authentic Nasi Lemak in fact!
Starz Diner is open during dinner hour too, serving Asian and International cuisine. Buffet is being featured occasionally too.
Our favorite outlet in Hard Rock Hotel will be Hard Rock Cafe. They serve authentic American cuisine such as Nacho, Legendary 8oz Burgers, Hickory-Smoked Beef Ribs, Hot Fudge Brownies and a range of cocktails. The flagship cafe features a daily band performance from 10.30pm till 2.00am daily and dubbed as a place that never dies at night in Hard Rock Hotel with the rocking musics.Â
Check out for Ella and Zainal Abidin's memorabilia displayed at the mezzanine floor of Hard Rock Cafe Penang too.Â
If you are a Pizza person, head to Pizzeria, an Italian inspired pizza joint situated by the poolside and beachside of the hotel. It provides an al-fresco dining area and you can watch the chefs action at the open kitchen concept. Sit there and watch the chefs skillfully tossing the pizza in the air and bake it using wood fire oven. Our favorite at Pizzeria will be their Pizzas, Calzone (what a rare find again!) and Ravioli.Â
Enjoy the amazing sunset during the dusk hour too if you dine in at Pizzeria. You may take your slow time to stroll through the beach or engage in some activities provided by the beach operators on your own accord.
All in all, Hard Rock Hotel gave me a complete surprise during our stay there. Initially we thought it would be just another ordinary hotel stay, enjoying some great food and indulge in the warm bed but it has more to offer. It serves as an excellent spot for family staycation, a couple's honeymoon or even just a short getaway from the city. The facilities were top notch, and we just wished to have more time to spend here.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Batu Ferringhi Beach, 11100 Penang, MalaysiaÂ
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